COLUMBUS — What are the medical benefits of marijuana? A new research group wants to invest $24 million to find out.

The newly formed International Cannabinoid Institute Research Foundation announced Tuesday that its 12 undisclosed donors would provide $24 million to build a 40,000-square-foot research facility in Pataskala, east of Columbus, founder Garrett Greenlee said. The move is dependent on passage of Issue 3, which would legalize marijuana in Ohio and create 10 marijuana farms across the state.

The property is owned by Dr. Suresh Gupta, a Dayton pain doctor, who plans to create a 300,000-square-foot facility to grow marijuana for medical purposes with business partner Alan Mooney.

Research on marijuana's medical uses is scant, partially because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug — a substance with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Still, there is some evidence that marijuana can alleviate nausea, chronic pain, glaucoma and post-traumatic stress disorder.

But that FDA designation could make it difficult for researchers in Ohio to study medical marijuana. Federal authorities have issued only one license to grow marijuana for research, which went to the University of Mississippi.

The research foundation's members hope to change that, Greenlee said. The nonprofit, formed in August, includes board members Dr. Michael Ibba, chairman of the microbiology department at Ohio State University, and Dr. Suzanne Sisley, an Arizona physician who researches the potential benefits of marijuana for those diagnosed with PTSD.

"Sadly, the study has stagnated in the pipeline," Sisley said of her research. "The barriers were just so unjust that I had to expose this."

Greenlee would not disclose the names of the 12 donors, saying they might be targeted by federal authorities or others opposed to medical marijuana research.

Legalizing medical marijuana has widespread support from Ohioans. An April poll found 84 percent support access to marijuana with a doctor’s permission, compared with 52 percent who supported legalizing the drug for recreational use.

But opponents say Issue 3's proposal is not the way to legalize medical marijuana. Several protesters at the Tuesday announcement questioned the background of the research nonprofit and its backers. They even brought a mascot parodying ResponsibleOhio's Buddie, which is promoting marijuana legalization on college campuses. The anti-Buddie carried a blunt and bong while gyrating on the steps of the Ohio Statehouse.

A parody of ResponsibleOhio's mascot, Buddie, was protesting a new research facility announced Tuesday.(Photo: Jessie Balmert)

Licking County Chamber of Commerce President Cheri Hottinger opposes Issue 3 for other reasons: the proposal allow for the sale of marijuana candies, cookies, gummy bears and lollipops, which could easily be marketed to children.

"Issue 3 would create a monopoly in the Ohio constitution granting this small group of wealthy investors the exclusive right to market and sell marijuana in Ohio," said Hottinger, who is married to Republican Sen. Jay Hottinger.